The Inigo Martinez Speculative Rip of the Week

Time has been good to Paul Scholes. He still possesses a deft passing touch and can still shake Old Trafford with efforts like this.



Skip to 5:00 for the rip, or watch every touch Scholes had in the game. Most were sublime, as usual

The Inigo Martinez Speculative Rip of the Week

Yes, it's been a while since the last post. Being a senior in college ain't all rainbows and smiles. Sometimes you have to buckle down, go to a 12 o'clock class about young adult fiction, play 9 holes, then have dinner! Jeesh.

Anyway, Cristiano continues to produce spectacular efforts like this dipping missile in the Champions League.

Enjoy.

The Inigo Martinez Honorary Speculative Rip of the Week

The title, and the video, sum it up. What a screamer!

THE RETURN OF THE GINGER PRINCE!!!!!

(City Beware. Herrreeee's Scholes.)

Although a very dramatic and important FA Cup battle between Man U and Man City took place today, it was highly overshadowed by the most important news of 2012 (for real): Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has come out of retirement so suit up in the middle of the pitch for the vaunted Red Devils who are experiencing an injury crisis. Scholes was used as a 2nd half substitute in United's 3-2 victory over hated City and although there was significant rust (a Scholesy giveaway led to City's second goal), his mere presence on the pitch raised the fighting spirit of slumping United to beat their nearest neighbors. Although Scholes will certainly need some time to get into game shape, his glorious right foot will no doubt provide perfectly weighted balls to United's wingers and strikers. This boost is clearly the biggest news of 2012 in any sports. Better yet, I would call it the biggest news in the world. Fuck the NFL playoffs, fuck politics and upcoming elections, fuck even the bitter Bruins Canucks rivalry. The Prince has returned. Need I say more?

Better Late than Never: the Euro 2012 Draw Roundup

This draw happened a few weeks ago, but what with a thesis, 3 classes, another writing job, and various nonsense, I never got around to blogging it.

Regardless, Euro 2012 is coming to an ESPN near you this summer, and it's the best international soccer competition outside of the World Cup (some have called it better than the World Cup). With traditional powers like Italy and France mired in troublesome slumps, this may be the year where some lesser-known countries get their shot at taking down football's royalty.

Additionally, this is some of the last top-notch football we'll see on ESPN, as FOX has outbid the worldwide leader for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. This is truly a massive loss for soccer in America, and will undo essentially everything that ESPN has been doing for the last several years for the game in the States. But that's another story.

Here are the groups for Euro 2012, and the predictions for each:

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

This may, top to bottom, be the weakest group that was possible. The level of play will be low (for top-notch international football), but the level of competition will be sky-high. These teams (with the possible exception of Greece) are known for being tough, scrappy sides, and each will believe they have a great chance to come out of this group. Which they do. Every game in this group will be exciting and significant.
Prediction: Czechs and Russians advance

Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!!! In all seriousness, this is the definition of a Group of Death. See?

 

They're already making t-shirts

I don't have anything else to say. It's horrifying for all parties involved. Trees may not bear fruit during these matchups. Children will cry. Doves will spontaneously combust. Human life as we know it may be at stake.
Prediction: Germany and Netherlands advance

Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia

This wins first alternate for the Group of Death. Spain's the clear favorite, as they would be in any game that wasn't against the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, or FC Barcelona. Their coach, Vincente Del Bosque, certainly seems content with the draw. But after that, you really have your pick of the litter. Ireland will be so pumped to be in an international tournament that they'll want to put on a good show. Croatia is a solid team, and Italy is no longer the power it once was. Plus, Spain plays like Barcelona: too much passing, not enough goals. I could see them getting caught in possession and giving up a few goals.
Prediction: Spain and the flying Balotellis (I mean Italy) advance

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

England's national team fans piss me off. Mainly because they have gotten their way for the last few major tournaments. This was the cover of the Sun after the draw for the 2010 World Cup:

How'd that work out for you, ya limey tea-swilling numpties? And this draw isn't much harder. The Ukraine can be dismissed immediately based upon the other group members. England will win the group by default, and I think France has recovered enough to beat a Swedish side with an aging, but still omnipotent, Zlatan the Magnificent Nose.
Prediction: England and France advance

David Villa breaks leg, reminds us why the Club World Cup is stupid

This is not for the faint of heart:



Yeesh. Gone are the rumors sending him to Chelsea or my beloved Reds. And all for what? A tournament that essentially no one cares about.

Let's not forget, I do hate Barcelona. However, I wouldn't have hated a January transfer of Villa to Liverpool. Damn you, Club World Cup. Damn you.

Speculative Rip of the Week (Will Hereafter be Renamed)

Hi all. Long time between posts. Busy college students are busy, plus its our blog and we get to deprive you of content for weeks at a time. ha-HA, as the Berba would say.

Anyway, this post is groundbreaking for the 3 amigos here at 3MW. Because from here on out, our most frequent and popular segment, the Speculative Rip of the Week, will be known as....(drumroll)...

the INIGO MARTINEZ HONORARY SPECULATIVE RIP OF THE WEEK

That's right, the 20-year old wizard has done it again. The kid has exactly two La Liga goals for Real Sociedad, and he's got his own blog segment named after him. Spectacularge.

Martinez came to you live back in October with this rifle shot, and he's just gone and outdone himself. With the score tied at 2, IN STOPPAGE TIME, against Real Betis, Martinez unleashed Heaven's fury again with his left foot and vaulted himself into legend status at Sociedad.

View the magic:



Oh by the way, he went bar down. Ridiculous. As Brooks at Dirty Tackle said, "It's becoming clear that Martinez is some kind of wizard."